Belt-tightener.



J. R. VOSBURGH.

BELT TIGHTENER.

APPLICATION FILED AP.B..21,1913.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. R. VOSBURGH. BELT TIGHTENER. APPLICATION FILED APR.21, 1913.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHnTO-LITI-IQ, WASHINGTON. D.

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BELT-TIGHTENER.

Application filed April 21, 1913.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOHN R. VosBURoH, citizen of the United States, residing at Johnstown, in the county of Fulton 'and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Belt- Tighteners, and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to'tools for use in tightening and repairing machine belts, and the object thereof is to provide an improved device of this class, by means of which the belt may be drawn up at a portion of its length to take up the slack and hold the belt in position until such slack has been cut out and the ends relaced.

Another object of my invention is to construct a tightener which may be quickly and securely fastened to the belt, which may be easily and speedily operated, and one which can be readily removed after the belt has been relaced. These operations can all be effected without removing the belt from the pulleys, thereby saving much time and work.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated my invention, and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the drawings; Figure l is a perspective of my improved tightener in open position. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the same closed. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the device open, or as it appears when applied to a belt. Fig. 1 is a similar view showing the device in closed position. Fig. 5 is a vertical section through one of the gripping dogs. Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a modification of the gripping means.

In carrying out my invention I employ a rectangular frame, hinged intermediate its ends and provided with detachable gripping means for holding the belt. This rectangular frame is preferably, but not necessarily, of metal and comprises sections 1 and 2 which are pivotally connected at 3. Section 1 comprises sides 1 and l connected at their outer ends by a bar 9 to which they are rigidly secured in any desired manner. The bar 9 is bent downwardly at points near its extremities and one of its ends is pro- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 12, 1915. Serial No. 762,619.

vided with a loop 5 and its other end with a hook 6. A dog 7 cam shaped in cross section, is loosely mounted on the bar 9 and is provided with an upper portion 7 and a lower portion 7*. These parts 7 and T are secured together in any suitable manner and the portion 7 is provided on its curved under side with teeth 7. A supporting pin 8 having one of its ends pivotally connected to the loop 5 of the bar 9 is adapted to clamp a belt A between it and the dog 7, the other end of said pin being adapted to be secured by the hook 6. This will, in elfect, form a clamping means for securely gripping the belt in the initial stage of operating the tightener.

Section 2 of the frame comprises the two sides 2 and 2 and said sides are connected at their outer ends by a bar 2. Near the inner ends of the sides 2 and 2 of section 2 and pivotally connected thereto are arms 2 to which are rigidly connected the downward extensions of a bar 10. At the lower end of one of the extensions is a loop 11 and the lower end of the other extension is provided with a hook 12. A dog similar to that of section 1 is loosely mounted on the bar 10 and a pin 13 similar to that of section 1 has one of its ends pivotally connected to the loop 11 and its other end is adapted to engage the hook 12, this construction being similar to the clamping means provided on section 1.

A wedge shaped piece 14, as shown in Fig. 6, may be employed instead of the clamping dogs just described. To use this wedge construction, the dogs are removed from the bars 9 and 10, and the wedge shaped pieces 14 inserted between the bars 9 and 10 and the pins 8 and 13, with their edges toward the pivot 3. Teeth 14; are provided upon the upper surface of said wedge shaped pieces to allow the same to more firmly grip the belt A.

In the operation of my device, the frame is placed upon the belt, with the toothed portion of the dog 7, engaging the upper surface of the same and the pins 8 and 13 disengaged from their respective hooks. The pin 8 is then brought up against the under surface of the belt and locked in its hook 6. The dog 7 is then turned downward to cause the belt A to be gripped firmly between it and the pin 8. The dog of section 2, which for clearness will be numbered 15, has its smooth side resting upon the belt and in this position the pin 13 is caught on its hook 12 to loosely engage the belt. Section 2 is then lifted up and the dog 15 moves along the belt toward the other dog a sufficient distance to take up the desired slack. The dog 15 is then turned over to allow its teeth to bite into the belt and grip the same. Section 2 is then folded over until said section contacts with section 1, as shown in Fig. 4, when the slack will be taken up in the manner shown in said figure. The slack may then be cut out between the gripping dogs and the belt relaced. After relacing the belt, section 2 is lifted up and the pins may be disengaged from their hooks to allow the device to be removed from the belt.

U-shaped portions 1 are provided in the sides 1 and 1 of section 1 to permit the arms 2 and their attachments to extend downwardly when section 2 is closed upon section 1. The pivots 3 connecting the sections engage the sides near their top edge and in conjunction with the U-shaped portions 1 enable the sections to be automatically locked in a manner which is obvious.

It will be obvious that the device may be made suliiciently wide to accommodate belts of different widths and a device of any width will be capable of operation upon a belt of less width.

WVhile I have selected but one embodiment of my invention for the purpose of illustrating the same, I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as variations therein may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A tool for tightening belts comprising a frame composed of two sections pivotally connected together, means for gripping the belt provided upon each of said sections, one

Copies of this patent may be of said sections being provided with U-shaped portions to accommodate the gripping means of the other section when the sections are forced together, the pivots connecting said sections engaging the same near their top edges, whereby the sections may be automatically locked.

2. A tool for tightening belts comprising a rectangular frame composed of two sections pivotally connected together, the ends of one of said sections being bent to engage a gripping means support, and arms pivotally connected to the other section intermediate its ends, the ends of said arms being bent to engage another gripping means sup port, the first named of said sections being also provided with U-shaped portions to accommodate the arms and gripping means of the other section when the sections are forced together.

3. A tool for tightening belts comprising a rectangular frame composed of two sections pivotally connected together, the ends of one of said sections being bent to engage a gripping means support, and arms pivotally connected to the other section intermediate its ends, the ends of said arms being bent to engage another gripping means support, the first named of said sections being also provided with U-shaped portions to accommodate the arms and gripping means of the other section when the sections are forced together and the pivots connecting said sections engaging the same near their upper edges, whereby the sections may be automatically locked.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN R. VOSBURGH.

Witnesses:

W. N. HENRY, Jr., EVERETT SMITH.

"Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

